Newcastle are ready to revamp their playing squad when Steve McClaren is appointed head coach later this week, and a report in Voetbal International has claimed that Bruno Martins Indi is high on their list on transfer targets.

The 23-year-old centre-back currently turns out for Porto, making 37 appearances in his first season for the club, having moved from Feyenoord last summer. He progressed through the academy at De Kuip, playing over 100 games for the Eredivisie outfit, before agreeing his switch to Portugal.

Highly rated in European football, it was a surprise to see Martins Indi clinch a move to Porto, with the likes of Manchester United said to be in for him last summer.

He played with the Netherlands at the World Cup, having now managed to register 29 caps for Oranje, and worked under current United boss Louis van Gaal.

Newcastle’s interest comes about with their need to improve the defensive unit this summer, having still been selecting Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson despite their clear deficiencies.

There are no references as to a price that the Magpies would have to pay to sign Martins Indi, but Porto are known to be tough negotiators, and if Newcastle intend to formalise their interest, it could cost a high price to sign the much-needed defensive reinforcement.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.